10 Things to Do in Luss: Loch Lomond’s Prettiest Village

Luss is hailed as one of Scotland’s prettiest villages, and you soon see why when you arrive. Tucked on Loch Lomond’s western shore, it’s a protected conservation village, and its historic buildings have been carefully preserved. 

A string of stone cottages topped with slate roofs and ornate chimneys leads down to the water’s edge. Framed by rugged hills, it’s an idyllic sight that brought to mind fairy stories during my visit on a cool spring morning. 

Despite its small size, I was surprised at how much there was to do. Half expecting to just see the cottages, I’d allocated a day on my trip, but I ended up returning the following day. In this guide, I’ll show you all the best things to do in Luss to help you plan your visit a lot better than I did!

Whether you’re looking for panoramic hillwalks, enchanting woodland trails, Viking history or scenic cruises on the loch, here’s what to do in Luss. 

Explore Luss Village

The very best thing to do in Luss is meander through the village at your own pace. It’s very small with just a few streets, so it doesn’t take long to stroll around and take in the idyllic Scottish scenery. 

Since I arrived by bus, my starting point was outside the Loch Lomond Arms, a grand 17th-century coaching inn-turned-hotel. From there, I set off down Pier Road, the main thoroughfare leading to the waterfront and the village’s famous slate-roofed cottages. 

After admiring the view of Ben Lomond from the pier, I wandered along the beachfront path to Luss Parish Church, stopping to read the information sign about Clan Colquhoun (pronounced Co-hoon), whose ancestral lands surround Luss. 

Looping away from the loch, I came to Luss Parish Church, then Luss Distillery, which produces gin and whisky. You can learn all about its spirits in the discovery centre, grab a bite at the cafe or book a tasting experience. 

I soon ended up back on Luss Beach on the other side of the village. Kayaks are available to hire at the far end, but I just contented myself with watching the ducks gliding through the water. If you’re in the mood for souvenir shopping, Highland Art Studios by the pier is worth a look in, as is Luss General Store near the distillery. 

Editor’s tip: If you’d like a more formal walking route, you can do the one-hour Luss Heritage Trail which features the stone cottages as well as sections through woodlands and along the riverbanks. 

Admire the famous slate-roofed cottages 

Luss has been a settlement since medieval times, but many of the homes you see today were built in the 18th and 19th centuries to house the workers of the nearby cotton mill, corn mill, saw mill and slate quarries. These include the slate-roofed stone cottages that line Pier Road. 

I took my time wandering up the road, admiring the cottages’ ornate chimneys, double doors and front gardens blooming with flowers. Set against a backdrop of towering hills, they looked like they belonged in a storybook. 

It’s important to note that while these cottages are lovely, they are still people’s homes. Stick to the road rather than standing on their property or peering through their windows (no one likes a snoop!). 

Take a photo of the Loch Lomond Viewpoint 

Luss Pier has a panoramic viewpoint which is one of my favourites. In front of you lies the glittering expanse of Loch Lomond framed by Ben Lomond, the most southerly mountain in Scotland. Behind you are the village’s famous slate-roofed cottages with the Luss Hills towering above them. 

It’s this viewpoint which makes Luss one of the prettiest villages in Scotland. I was lucky enough to see it on a sunny day when the flowers in the cottages’ front gardens were beginning to bloom. Equally, when it’s overcast and the clouds hang low over the hills, the viewpoint is even more atmospheric. 

Fair warning: it will be impossible not to get people in your photo unless you get to the viewpoint very early in the morning. You could also turn up at twilight to see the warm glow of street lamps in the gathering darkness. 

Explore Loch Lomond by boat 

Cruise the waters of Loch Lomond and hear fascinating stories of clan battles, local history and legends while you keep an eye out for wildlife. Running since 1978, Cruise Loch Lomond is a family-owned operator that offers scenic boat tours and waterbus services from Luss Pier. 

The 90-minute Luss Circular is a tour around the most beautiful parts of the loch, accompanied by live commentary. You’ll cruise past islands and spot grand stately homes nestled along the shoreline. The crew will tell you of the ancient glaciers that shaped this unique landscape, and if you’re lucky, you might even see a resident osprey. 

The 35-minute Island Explorer ferries you to Inchcailloch, where you can roam this island nature reserve on your own. Or you can take the 45-minute Balmaha Explorer to climb Conic Hill. Cruise vessels have indoor and outdoor seating as well as toilets and a licensed bar serving hot and cold drinks. 

Take a waterbus to Inchcailloch 

One of my favourite things to do near Luss, Inchcailloch is a tiny island nature reserve off the coast of Balmaha in Loch Lomond. It’s one of the largest and easiest of the loch’s 23 islands to visit. You can do a day trip or spend the night in the dedicated campsite from March to September. 

The quickest way to get there is by the on-demand 5-minute water taxi from Balmaha, but I ended up taking the Cruise Loch Lomond waterbus from Luss as I wasn’t sure if it was running in April (it was; I saw it shunting back and forth when I got there, but the website said it didn’t run until May!).  

From Luss, it’s a 35-minute cruise across the loch. The boat crew deposited me on the southern tip of the island, informing me of the pick-up time two hours later. I was the only person to disembark, and I couldn’t help feeling a little bit like I had been marooned on a Scottish version of a desert island. Still, I set off to explore!

There are three well-marked walking trails around the island: the Low Path, the Central Path and the Summit Path. Each takes about 30-45 minutes, or you can combine them for a longer route. 

As I meandered through the woods, I came across the ruins of a 13th-century church and cemetery. It was dedicated to the Irish princess, Saint Kentigerna, who is thought to have lived here in the 700s CE. Renouncing royal comforts, she lived a life of modest means. The island’s name translates to ‘island of the cowled [or old] woman’ in Gaelic to remember her. 

The moss-covered ruins were fascinating, if not a touch eerie on my own, so I quickly scrambled up the path to the island’s highest point (‘Tom na Nigheanan,’ meaning hill of the daughter, standing 85 metres above sea level). There, I found a bench with a spectacular panoramic view of the loch and surrounding peaks. 

Inchcailloch’s small campsite is located on the beach at Port Bawn where the boat from Luss docks. You’ll also find some composting toilets here. Time your visit for May when the bluebells are in bloom. I was a little early, but I could see them starting to come up.

Visit Luss Parish Church 

Follow the waterfront from the pier, and you’ll come to Luss Parish Church. This striking little church was built in 1875, but it has been a site of worship for about 1,500 years. It’s dedicated to the Irish missionary, Saint Kessog, who claimed to bring Christianity to Luss in 510 CE. 

There is an effigy of the saint inside the church, but if you’re interested in Viking history, you might want to pay special attention to the graveyard. It’s home to an 11th-century Hogback Stone, an Anglo-Scandinavian grave marker in the shape of a Viking longhouse. 

It has shingles carved along it to represent the roof of a meadhall in Valhalla where fallen warriors of the Norse religion spend the afterlife feasting. How it ended up here on the banks of Loch Lomond is most likely due to the Norse Forth-Clyde trade route connecting York to Dublin. 

Climb Beinn Dubh 

Luss is set at the foot of a string of hills. Among them is the prominent slope of Beinn Dubh rising 642 metres above it. The ascent starts from the village car park and within an hour, you’re greeted by outstanding panoramic views of the island-strewn Loch Lomond below. 

I had originally planned to climb Conic Hill, one of the most scenic short walks in the area. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as the trail was closed for maintenance. Frantically searching last minute for a trail that offered the same kind of view, I came across Beinn Dubh. 

Armed with a picnic and the Walkhighland map, I set off across the bridge over the A82 and puffed my way uphill. The full walk takes about three hours, or five if you complete the Glen Striddle horseshoe. I got to stage three of the route (about an hour in) before calling it as I was worried about missing the bus. 

The views were superb though. I sat and looked at the pastoral, low-rising hills of the south and the rugged peak of Ben Lomond in the east. If I had continued walking, I’d have seen the Arrochar Alps and the snaggled-tooth shape of the Cobbler. 

If you decide to do the full trail, I recommend giving it a full day and downloading the offline map. Always check the weather app before you head off on any hillwalks, as it can turn very suddenly. 

See the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail 

One of the best things to do in Luss for families with young children, the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail is a magical woodland experience which takes little ones on an adventure in nature. There are two trails to choose from. The original Faerie Trail is an enchanting path that weaves through the trees, revealing faerie doors and handcrafted interactive installations of all shapes and sizes. 

The Nature Trail is a newer addition designed to educate and build a connection with nature. It includes an adventure guidebook packed with fun games and riddles to solve on the trail. Tickets cost £6.89 for both adults and children, or £25.44 for a family of four. The experience is open daily except Wednesdays. 

Whichever trail you choose, it includes a visit to the Faerie Tale Farm where children can encounter a whole host of friendly animals, including alpacas, Highland cows and goats. It’s located on the green just off Pier Road, and I came across it while I was waiting for my bus back to Balloch. I saw a few black sheep and spied donkeys and goats milling about in the next field. 

Do some watersports 

If you’d like to see the loch from a different perspective, Loch Lomond Leisure offers a range of paddlesports, including canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to hire. Groups of six can also paddle in a katakanu (two canoes joined together). 

You can explore the coastline on your own or join a two-hour guided tour with a qualified guide. Setting off from Luss Beach, your guide will lead you across the water with Ben Lomond in the distance. You’ll have the chance to look out for the statue of ‘Wee Peter’ and birds of prey soaring above you. 

Scheduled guided tours are available daily from June to August, and I recommend booking them in advance. Equipment hire is available from March to October if you prefer to go at your own pace. 

Editor’s tip: Loch Lomond Leisure also offers bicycle hire so you can explore the area on land too. 

Eat cake from the Village Shop 

The Village Shop is right next to the car park. I popped in there at lunchtime on the hunt for a bite to eat as all the cafes and pubs were full. 

This convenience store has a wide selection of gourmet sandwiches, cakes and ice cream as well as takeaway hot food like hot dogs, mac ‘n’ cheese and sausage rolls. You can also pick up toys, souvenirs and spirits from Luss Distillery. 

I went for a sandwich and a brookie (a cross between a brownie and a cookie with marshmallows!), which I devoured at the top of Beinn Dubh. It was an unbeatable picnic with a view. The Village Shop is open from 8:30 am to 6 pm daily. 

Luss travel guide: Top tips to plan your trip 

Here are some top tips to help you plan your trip to Luss: 

Best time to visit 

The best time to visit Luss is between April and October when the attractions are open for the tourist season. I visited twice at the end of April. My first day was wet and overcast, but on the second day I was treated to sunshine. Perfect walking weather!

How to get to Luss 

By public transport: 

The easiest way to get to Luss is by bus from Balloch, Alexandria. The number 305 bus takes just 16 minutes from Craiglomond Gardens. Pay the driver by tapping your bank card when you board. 

Luss is also one of my favourite day trips from Glasgow. Both the Scottish Citylink and Ember coaches take an hour. Book your tickets in advance as spaces fill up fast. 

By car: 

Luss sits just off the A82 from Glasgow. It’s just 14 minutes up the road from Balloch and 45 minutes from Glasgow. There’s a large car park with public toilets on the edge of the village. 

Where to stay 

Loch Lomond Arms – You’re guaranteed a stay with character at this 17th-century coaching inn. Each of its five rooms and six cottages has been individually styled while The Stag & Two Hounds pub serves up local and seasonal dishes from the estate.

Glenview Luss – Once the village police station, the property has been turned into a cosy bed & breakfast. It has just four modern rooms with a continental breakfast included. 

Where to eat 

Since the village is tiny, there are only a handful of places to eat. If you’d like to sit down anywhere, I recommend either booking a table or arriving for the start of dinner service. Notable places to eat include: 

• The Village Rest – relaxed restaurant, cafe and bistro (it was VERY busy)
• Loch Lomond Arms – gastropub open for lunch and dinner 
• Colquhoun’s Restaurant – waterfront restaurant serving seasonal Scottish cuisine
• Coach House Coffee Shop and Store – contemporary cafe serving homemade cakes 
• Scoff & Patter at Luss Distillery – modern cafe with brunch and alcoholic drinks 
• The Village Shop – casual hot and cold food to take away 

Final thoughts on things to do in Luss 

Set on the shores of Loch Lomond in the Trossachs National Park, Luss is a quaint little village that looks like it belongs in a storybook. Most visitors only stop here briefly to stretch their legs as they travel between Glasgow and the Highlands. 

But as you can see, there are so many brilliant things to do in Luss. Those who linger longer are rewarded with epic scenery and echoes of history, whether it’s Viking burial stones and slate-roofed cottages or panoramic hillwalks and gliding across the loch by boat. 

Curious about how to add Luss to a wider Loch Lomond itinerary? You can read how I did it in my Loch Lomond day trip from Glasgow without a car.